Home Minister vows justice to the culprits of Sitakunda blaze

Home Minister Asaduzzman Kamal on Monday vowed to hold trial of those found responsible for the deadly fire and explosions at BM Container Depot at Sitakunda in Chattogram.

“A probe has been ordered and justice will be ensured according to the law,” he said, adding the government does not indemnify anyone who commits crime.

The home minister’s remarks came amid media reports that the depot had no license and permission to keep chemical containers, the suspected source of the disastrous fire. The containers full of hydrogen peroxide is suspected to have caused the inferno.

He was replying to questions from reporters after his visit to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital to see the condition of the injured people undergoing treatment there.

He also visited the depot, the scene of Saturday night’s tragedy.

Asaduzzaman said the authorities concerned are investigating how the fire occurred and if anybody’s negligence is found to be the reason that person will definitely be put on trial.

“None will be spared, no matter how powerful one may be. No one is above the law and if anyone found involved in any negligence will be brought to justice,” said the minister.

The death toll from the devastating fire reached 50 with the recovery of another body from a container of the depot in the morning, according to Fire Service authorities.

The huge fire also left more than and 200 people were injured, some of them in critical condition.

The privately run container depot at Sonaichhari in Sitakunda of Chattogram is a joint venture of Bangladesh and the Netherlands.